270ex for fill flash

[RPCrowe]

I want a light, low profile hotshoe strobe to use as fill-flash on an upcoming trip to China. I love to use fill, especially for shots of people and the darker the person's complexion and the broader the hat brim, the more I want fill.

I will be carrying this flash mounted on my camera hotshoe for most of the day so, light weight is essential. I will be carrying two cameras so using a flash bracket is out of the question. Additionally, any flash bracket will add unwanted weight and defeat my purpose of getting the lightweight flash unit.

The reason that I am seeking a low profile flash is that when I carry my camera with either my 550ex or 420ex mounted, it is top-heavy and will tend to twist over on the strap.

I also want a flash which has high speed sync (HSS) so that I will not be limited to 1/250 second exposure time. I often use higher speeds than 1/250 second in order to utilize a wider aperture for selective depth of field.

It seems as if there are only two units out there which fit my criteria (especially the need for HSS): the 220EX and the 270EX. Power is no big concern and neither is bounce capability.

I am leaning toward the 270EX, primarily because it has a lower profile. My concern regarding this unit is whether it will cause red eye when hot shoe mounted and shot straight on.

I am wondering if the 270EX will induce red-eye when used for fill and whether there might be a third party manufacturer's unit out there which incorporates HSS and is light weight and has a low profile.?

[Lotto]

I never experienced red eyes when using flash for fill, even with p/s cameras, so you should not have any problem with the 270EX. Also red eyes can be fixed easily in PP.

What about the camera's build in flash? The only time I use it is for quick fill.

[RPCrowe]

The built-in flash will result in a dark shadow at the bottom of the frame when used with the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens with lens hood attached. Additionally, the built-in flash doesn't have HSS.

The 270ex will have a small dark shadow at the bottom of the lens if the 17-55mm is used with lens hood ay 24mm and wider. If it is necessary to use wider than 24mm on this lens, taking off the hood for those shots will prevent the shadow.

[conserv]

It seems HSS works only with newer cameras which have flash controls in menu.
So you cannot use a 270EX in HSS mode on a 30D, 5D. :mad: You need a 40D, 5DII for this :confused:

[mahanee]

It seems HSS works only with newer cameras which have flash controls in menu.
So you cannot use a 270EX in HSS mode on a 30D, 5D. :mad: You need a 40D, 5DII for this :confused:
can use HSS in my 350D, 30D, 40D
even in my G3

[conserv]

mahanee, how do you do this?
i have a 30d and a 270ex here, but when when i put the flash on the camera i cannot choose a time shorter than 1/250s.
what is the trick? :confused:

[mahanee]

wait, i think we have some misscomunication here :)

what i wrote is about HSS using another EX (420,430 n 580) in those body.

if u mean using HSS in 270 EX, i don`t know... is there a switch button for HSS in 270 EX?

[CliveyBoy]

The camera will not allow the shutter time to be shorter than the X-sync speed if in Av mode and the custom function for that aspect is not in auto.

Change the CF to Auto to allow the camera to make use of the HSS which has been set on the flash.

[mahanee]

http://www.letsgodigital.org/images/artikelen/6/canon-speedlite-270ex.jpg

i guess 270EX can`t do HSS .. there`s no HSS button there

so, we can say 270 EX is just an internal flash with more power and bouncing/tilt capability :D

[conserv]

The camera will not allow the shutter time to be shorter than the X-sync speed if in Av mode and the custom function for that aspect is not in auto.

Change the CF to Auto to allow the camera to make use of the HSS which has been set on the flash.
i have custom function 3 on the 30D not on the second option "fix 1/250s", but on the first option "auto" and still i cant choose a shutter speed shorter then 1/250s on the camera :(

[mahanee]

internal flash can`t do HSS

[conserv]

internal flash can`t do HSS
sorry, i wasnt talking about internal flash... i meant 270EX

[mahanee]

sorry, i wasnt talking about internal flash... i meant 270EX

there`s no HSS button in 270EX body..
so this one just like internal flash.. can`t do HSS . cmiiw

HSS button (on 420EX)
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/7216/420fu.jpg

[Hellbelly]

The 270ex CAN do HSS, but only on a camera that has a flash control menu (40D, 50D, 450D, 50D, 5dmkII, 1dsmk3).
It can also be used in manual mode on these cameras.
If you plan on using it with a 30D better to get a 220EX.

[oaktree]

Great thread. Great info. I just ordered a 270EX for a trip to Japan. WIll be using on a 5D2 mainly for fill in.

[omer]

I may be late on this thread but i just came back from Japan and used extensivly the 270ex on a 450D
(i also have the 430ex II)
the 270ex is great!!
you can set the flash for HSS using the cFn in camera (after you upgrade the firmware)
you can use it effectively with bounch as the head rotates upwards
it is small so i kept it on all the time for fill and it produced excellent colours !

[oaktree]

I may be late on this thread but i just came back from Japan and used extensivly the 270ex on a 450D
(i also have the 430ex II)
the 270ex is great!!


This is very good to know. I use fill flash a lot so the 270EX should be great on my 5D2. Like you,I'll be using it in Japan.

[omer]

OakTree
if you go to tokyo and have an extra hour go to MapCamera in Nishi Shinjuku (the hotel will give you direction)
very nice people and got nice and good selection of second hand lenses
enjoy the trip - Japan is great
here is the web site - (some guesswork needed)
http://www.mapcamera.com/sho/search.php?class=USED